Induction of castration by immunization of male dogs with recombinant gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-canine distemper virus (CDV) T helper cell epitope p35

Immunocastration is a considerable alternative to a surgical castration method especially in male animal species for alleviating unwanted male behaviors and characteristics. Induction of high titer of antibody specific for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) correlates with the regression of testes. Fusion proteins composed of canine GnRH and T helper (Th) cell epitope p35 originated from canine distemper virus (CDV) F protein and goat rotavirus VP6 protein were produced in E. coli. When these fusion proteins were injected to male dogs which were previously immunized with CDV vaccine, the fusion protein of GnRH-CDV Th cell epitope p35 induced much higher antibody than that of GnRH-rotavirus VP6 protein or GnRH alone. The degeneration of spermatogenesis was also verified in the male dogs immunized with the fusion protein of GnRH-CDV Th cell epitope p35. These results indicate that canine GnRH conjugated to CDV Th cell epitope p35 acted as a strong immunogen and the antibody to GnRH specifically neutralized GnRH in the testes. This study also implies a potential application of GnRH-based vaccines for immunocastration of male pets.

Effects of Clonidine on the Requirements of Dopamine Used as a Concomitant Drug of Amrinone in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG) / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Clonidine premedication has many beneficial effects in patients undergoing CABG surgery. Amrinone, having the ability to increase cardiac performance without increasing myocardial O2 consumption, is a valuable drug in postoperative management after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). The use of amrinone with a catecholamine is also important clinically because the cathecholamines support perfusion pressure and the combined use exerts synergistic or additive effects. We performed this study to examine whether clonidine premedication could change the amount of dopamine used concomitantly with amrinone for management after CPB. METHODS: Nineteen patients for elective CABG were allocated to two groups according to their premedication; a placebo (Group 1, n = 13) or clonidine 4 microgram/kg p.o. (Group 2, n = 6). All patients arrived in the operating room with infusion of isosorbide dinitrate (ID). Anesthesia was performed with standard techniques. Before initiation of CPB, significant lowering of BP or HR was treated with phenylephrine or atropine respectively. Amrinone was given bolus (0.75 mg/kg) and infusion (10 microgram/ kg/min) was begun instead of ID at the release of aortic cross-clamp. Dopamine infusion (3 microgram/kg/min) was started at 35degree C (rectal) and its rate was adjusted for maintaining acceptable hemodynamics. We compared the amount of infused dopamine within 90 mins after CPB between the two groups. We also compared systolic BP, HR and CVP before induction, 10 mins after induction and 60 mins after CPB. RESULTS: Systolic BP and HR before induction and HR 10 mins after induction were significantly lower in Group 2 (P < 0.05), but they were all within normal range. The proportion of patients who needed phenylephrine or atropine before CPB was not significantly different in the two groups. The amount of infused dopamine was significantly larger in Group 2 (P < 0.05). Hemodynamics were acceptable after CPB although HR 60 min after CPB was significantly lower within the normal range in Group 2 (P < 0.05). Weaning time from CPB was not significantly different in the two groups. No significant adverse effect was observed throughout this study. CONCLUSIONS: Clonidine, used as premedication, increases the need of catecholamine which is concomitantly administered with amrinone for weaning from CPB. But this method provides clinically effective result without jeopardizing hemodynamics in CABG.

Anesthetic Management of Ovarian Bleeding with Eisenmenger's Syndrome: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Eisenmenger's syndrome is defined as a high pulmonary vascular resistance associated with pulmonary hypertension or high pulmonary pressure close to systemic values with a reverse or bidirectional shunt at aortopulmonary, interventricular or interatrial levels. We report the case of a 42-year-old woman with an emergency operation for ovarian bleeding with Eisenmenger's syndrome secondary to large VSD. She had abdominal pain and vaginal spotting which developed one month earlier. In a preoperative abdominal ultrasonography, there was a fluid collection on the Cul-de-sac. There was no significant cardiorespiratory symptom except peripheral cyanosis. Anesthesia was performed with fentanyl, midazolam and vecuronium in standard monitorings including pulmonary artery pressure monitoring. Bolus and continuous infusions of amrinone were given to decrease right to left shunt. After the administration of amrinone, PaO2, PaO2/FiO2, P(A-a)O2 and P(a/A)O2 were improved and pulmonary arterial pressure was preferentially decreased compared with systemic arterial pressure. There was no significant problem throughout the operation, a right ovarian wedge resection. She was transferred to the intensive care unit in an intubated state postoperatively and discharged one week later without any complications.